Abstract: A camera has a cartridge chamber lid lock device arranged to allow the camera to be loaded with a film cartridge by opening a cartridge chamber lid irrespective of the position of a lens barrel in the optical axis direction when the film cartridge is not within the cartridge chamber and, when the film cartridge is loaded in the cartridge chamber, to prevent the cartridge chamber lid from being accidentally opened in a case where the film still remains outside the film cartridge or from being inadvertently opened while a using state of the film cartridge is in process of being set.

Abstract: A cartridge accommodating device of a camera includes a fork arranged to fit into a spool shaft of a film cartridge, a key member arranged to be movable back and forth with respect to a key way provided in the spool shaft and to transmit a film transport driving force to the spool shaft by engaging the key way, a first urging member arranged to urge the key member to engage the key way, a shaft keep member arranged to abut on the spool shaft when the fork fits into the spool shaft, and a second urging member arranged to urge the shaft keep member to move in an axial direction of the spool shaft. Accordingly, the key member can be caused to smoothly engage the key way and the film can be smoothly transported while the film cartridge is stably held in a predetermined position.

Abstract: A camera includes a cartridge chamber, a cartridge chamber lid which opens and closes the cartridge chamber, a first engagement device for engaging the cartridge chamber lid in a closed state thereof, and a second engagement device for engaging the cartridge chamber lid in a closed state thereof at least when the first engagement device is not operating.

Abstract: A cartridge loading chamber for IX 240 type cartridge (so-called APS cartridge) usually has a bottom lid. A lid of the invention has a function for detecting whether the cartridge exists in the cartridge loading chamber by installing a detecting mechanism on the lid which includes a projection member spring-biased and a electric switch made of a pair of metal leaves capable of switching on/off in association with movement of the projection member made by being pushed by the bottom of the cartridge when the lid is closed.

Abstract: In a small camera having multiple functions, a large internal component such as a battery is designed so as to protrude above the top cover flat surface of the camera and the protruding part is covered by an operational cover component such a dial for controlling exposure or other functions of the camera. By having this large internal component located at least partially inside the take-up spool, for example, the height of the camera grip is reduced and the camera as a whole is made smaller.

Abstract: A camera comprising a cartridge receiving chamber for a film cartridge with a filmstrip having a protruding film leader, a film door that opens and closes to uncover and re-cover the chamber, a backframe opening for exposing successive sections of the filmstrip, a film platen positioned over the backframe opening to support each section of the filmstrip at the backframe opening, and a film support positioned within the backframe opening to prevent the film leader from becoming jammed in the backframe opening when the film cartridge is placed in the chamber, is characterized in that the film platen is movable to at least partially uncover the backfrane opening in order to provide a film entry zone for the film leader into the backframe opening when the film door is opened, and the film support is coupled with the film platen for movement to the film entry zone to be positioned to prevent the film leader from becoming jammed in the backframe opening when the film platen is moved to partially uncover the backfra

Abstract: A cartridge loading apparatus for a camera includes a cartridge chamber into which a film cartridge is loaded, a first setting member for setting a film outlet of the film cartridge to orient in a predetermined direction in a state where the film cartridge has been completely loaded into the cartridge chamber, and a second setting member for setting the film outlet of the film cartridge to orient in a direction angularly deviating from the predetermined direction when the film cartridge passes, a cartridge insertion opening of the cartridge chamber.

Abstract: A film cartridge loader for a camera includes a film cartridge chamber having an opening into which a film cartridge can be loaded, a film cartridge chamber lid, a lid locking unit, a lid close detecting unit, an ejecting unit, a film cartridge interceptive door opening/closing unit, a moving unit, a movement detecting unit, a driving source, and a driving control unit. The film cartridge chamber lid is movable for opening or closing the cartridge chamber opening. The lid locking unit locks the film cartridge chamber lid in a closed state. The lid close detecting unit detects that the film cartridge chamber lid is locked by the lid locking unit. The ejecting unit ejects the film cartridge from the film cartridge chamber. The film cartridge interceptive door opening/closing unit opens or closes the interceptive door of the film cartridge. The moving unit moves the ejecting unit responsively to opening actions performed by the film cartridge interceptive door opening/closing unit.

Abstract: A camera has a cartridge setting chamber in which a film cartridge is set. A fork is rotatably disposed in the cartridge setting chamber and is engagable with a rotary shaft of the film cartridge to feed a film in the film cartridge. A cartridge support member is provided in the cartridge setting chamber in a position opposite to that of the fork and engagable with the rotary shaft of the film cartridge. Consequently the film cartridge is pinched between the cartridge support member and the fork.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a camera that is capable of both feeding a long strip of film that is housed in a cartridge in a wound-up fashion and rewinding said film, wherein a battery is placed above or below the film conveyance path between the cartridge bay and the spool bay such that its axis is essentially parallel to the optical axis.

Abstract: A photographic film package with film container holding chamber for a camera is disclosed. The film package includes a light-tight casing having an exposure opening, and a film container holding chamber formed on one side of the exposure opening in the light-tight casing for holding a film container, and a film winding chamber formed on the other side of the exposure opening. The film container holding chamber includes two opposite plates defining a C-shaped clipping structure and an axially-extending side opening through which a film container is inserted into the C-shaped clipping structure to be substantially surrounded thereby. The film container holding chamber further comprises an upper supporting plate formed on the upper section of the film container holding chamber, and a lower supporting plate formed on the lower section of the film container holding chamber.

Abstract: A camera case and film cartridge system that can be used with captioned film (i.e., film that has a pre-exposed caption such as “Happy Birthday” or “It's a Boy” on each film frame such that when the remainder of the film frame is exposed with the camera in the normal course, the each resulting picture will include the caption) in which the film cartridge is designed and constructed to use the standard 35mm film cannister (or any other standard film cannister) so that the film, once exposed in the normal course, can be developed at any retail or commercial developing facility that is equipped to handle the standard film cannister. The film cartridge includes a diffuser that partially shields the pre-exposed, captioned portion of the film from further exposure. Because the diffuser is incorporated into the film cartridge instead of the camera case, the same camera can be used with different captioned formats.

Abstract: A camera comprises a main body defining a chamber (8) for receiving, in use, a film-containing cassette (9), and a film-receiving chamber (10) for receiving, in use, a roll of film unwound from said cassette, the film extending between said chambers (8, 10) over an exposure window (6), wherein adjacent said film-receiving chamber (10) there is defined an aperture for insertion of a film winding tool (110) said aperture being closed by a movably mounted cover part (38).

Abstract: In a camera, at least a part of a wall portion of at least one of a film take-up spool chamber and a film-cartridge loading chamber is formed with a shutter mechanism.

Abstract: In a method for loading a film cartridge in a one-time use camera, the film cartridge is placed in a film cartridge chamber of a camera frame assembly. An anti-backup subsystem is mounted on the camera frame assembly. The anti-backup subsystem has a first mechanical member biased into a disengaged position. A main portion of the filmstrip is then wound, in a prewind direction, from the film cartridge to a film supply chamber of the camera frame assembly. Following the winding, the first mechanical member is biased into an engaged position, in which the anti-backup system precludes winding of the filmstrip in the prewind direction. The first mechanical member can be biased by applying a label to a casing of the camera.

Abstract: A camera or apparatus adapted to use an image recording medium cartridge having a cover for allowing an image recording medium to exit from or withdraw into the image recording medium cartridge, or a device adapted in the camera or apparatus, includes inhibition means for inhibiting the cartridge from being unloaded from the camera or apparatus when the cover of the cartridge loaded in the camera or apparatus is open, and disabling means for disabling an operation of the inhibition means when the cover of the cartridge loaded in the camera or apparatus is open.

Abstract: A camera for a roll film that is provided with a separate film strip wound around a first spool, and is provided with a second spool includes a first and second spool compartment. The roll film can be loaded into either the first or second spool compartments and the second spool can be loaded into either the second or first spool compartments, respectively. A reversible film winding mechanism winds the film strip of the roll film onto the second spool. The film winding direction can be reversed depending on which one of the first and second spool compartments the roll film is loaded into.

Abstract: A spool case unit has a paired end walls arranged in both end sides of a film to be wound up onto a spool shaft in its width direction, a connecting member provided between the end walls so as to connect the end walls to each other, and facing a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the film on the spool shaft, and an elastic thin plate cooperating with the connecting member between the end walls to form a side wall for the spool case unit and to surround the outer circumferential surface of the film on the spool shaft, the thin plate having an area larger than that of the connecting member in the side wall. A camera using the spool case unit, includes a lens barrel unit, a cartridge case unit, the spool case unit, and a photographing opening unit to which the cartridge case unit and the spool case unit are connected.

Abstract: A camera includes a cartridge receiving chamber for receiving a film cartridge having a rotatable film spool with an accessible end cavity, and a winding spindle for rotationally engaging the film spool inside its end cavity to wind exposed film into the film cartridge. The winding spindle has a concentric outer collar that is elastically expandable inside the end cavity to effect frictional torque contact with the film spool, and a concentric inner spool core that is rotatable within a center hole in the outer collar to force the outer collar to expand into frictional torque contact with the film spool. A slight reverse rotation of the inner spool core relative to the outer collar allows the outer collar to resiliently retract out of frictional torque contact with the film spool. Then, the winding spindle can be removed from the end cavity to permit the film cartridge to be removed from the cartridge receiving chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interchangeable miniature-film magazine having a receiver for a film cassette, a sprocket for the film advancement, a winding drum, and a shutter for closing the film gate provided in the magazine housing. In order to provide as compact a design as possible, the sprocket can be located immediately behind the cassette outlet, at a clear distance which is smaller than the width of the film gate across. The unexposed film, which is previously wound completely onto the winding drum in the prewind operation, with the winding direction of the film on the winding drum being identical to that of the spool body of the film cassette, is guided from the winding drum, arranged closely alongside the film cassette, in a large radius around the film cassette into the plane of the film gate, with a subsequent, nearly 180°-deflection around the sprocket into the cassette outlet.

Abstract: A camera comprising a cartridge receiving chamber for a film cartridge with a film leader that can be advanced from the film cartridge in preparation for film exposure and can be wound into the film cartridge after film exposure, a film door movable open to open the chamber and movable closed to close the chamber, and a door lock movable to lock the film door closed and movable to release the film door, is characterized in that a film sensor is originally positioned to be moved by the film leader as the film leader is advanced from the film cartridge, and a dual purpose indicator and blocker is connected to the film sensor to be moved to block the door lock from being moved to release the film door and to provide a visible indication when the film sensor is moved by the film leader, whereby the dual purpose indicator and blocker prevents the film door from being opened and warns that the film leader has been advanced from the film cartridge in preparation for film exposure.

Abstract: A take-up shaft is adapted to taking up photo film from a photo film cassette having the photo film, and particularly used in a lens-fitted photo film unit. The photo film cassette includes a cassette spool on which the photo film is wound in a roll form. A cassette shell contains the cassette spool in rotatable fashion. The take-up shaft has a shaft body (46, 53, 72, 81) having a substantially cylindrical shape. A nip device (47, 52, 73) is disposed inside the shaft body, and nips a leader (26b) in removable fashion. The shaft body is rotated with the leader, to wind the photo film in a roll form (26a). At least one curved face (46c, 53c, 57b, 62b, 64c, 72a, 81a) is formed between the inside of the shaft body and a cylindrical face of the shaft body and at a radius of curvature 0.4-0.85 time as long as a radius of the shaft body, and prevents the leader secured to the shaft body from being sharply bent.

Abstract: A photographic device includes a film cassette that has a shell having a film space and a module slot external to the film space. The filmstrip coiled within said film space. A memory module is loosely retained in the module slot. The photographic device has a terminal block that orients and holds the memory module when the film cassette is loaded.

Abstract: An apparatus using a film cartridge having an IC memory unit. The IC memory unit is arranged beneath a side of a cartridge shell of the film cartridge, and a positioning hole is formed on the side of the cartridge shell. In order to read/write information from/to the IC memory unit, an arm of a contact unit is rotated towards the cartridge shell, so that a positioning pin provided at the arm end engages the positioning hole to position the cartridge shell, and contact pins provided at the arm end are brought into contact with terminals of the IC memory unit.

Abstract: In a camera body section of a camera according to the present invention, a cartridge chamber unit and a spool chamber unit are located on a lower connecting member with a lens barrel unit as a central unit. Furthermore, a driving-force transfer mechanism is located under the lower connecting member. An output of a driving motor located inside the spool chamber is transferred to the lens barrel unit, cartridge chamber unit, and spool chamber unit through a driving-force transfer mechanism by changing the unit receiving the output. In particular, the driven sections of the lens barrel unit and cartridge chamber unit are driven through a worm gear. According to this camera, it requires a minimum change of each unit section to accommodate a specification change and/or a model change. In addition, it is easy to perform partial assembly of every unit.

Abstract: A camera using a roll film (Brownie film) having an identification mark, on one half of the width of the film strip, is provided with a pair of spool compartments in a camera body. The film can be loaded in one of the spool compartments. The film loaded in one spool compartment can be wound into the other spool compartment. The camera body is provided with a pair of code sensors, wherein at least one code sensor corresponds to the identification mark, regardless of the winding direction of said film.

Abstract: The display of the state of use of film provided on a film cartridge is prevented from becoming a wrong display during the insertion of the film cartridge into a camera or during the removal of the film cartridge from the camera. Rotation restraint releasing means 20 are provided for bearing against rotation restraining means only while a supply spool 2 is engaged by the fork member 13 of the camera, and releasing the rotation restraint of the supply spool by the rotation restraining means, and this rotation restraint is released only in a state in which the supply spool is engaged by the fork member of the camera and the supply spool is not inadvertently rotated.

Abstract: A one-time-use camera comprising a film cartridge with a light lock that is to be moved closed after a filmstrip exposed in the camera is completely wound into the film cartridge, and a closing device movable in engagement with the light lock to move the light lock closed, is characterized in that a retainer support for the closing device is adapted to hold the closing device in the camera and is resilient to permit the retainer support to be deformed temporarily to make room for the closing device to be assembled in the camera and to release the closing device to permit it to be removed from the camera.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted for use with a cartridge, e.g., in loading a cartridge in a camera, includes an engagement portion settable in either a first state or second state and engageable with a film cartridge loaded in a cartridge chamber, and a restriction device that either (1) restricts a loading operation of a cartridge into the cartridge chamber when the engagement portion is in the second state, or (2) restricts engagement of the cartridge with the engagement portion where the engagement portion is in the second state.

Abstract: A receiving device for a film cassette, having a light-proof housing. The housing includes a film-advancing device which is assigned a gripping region for the start of the film projecting out of the film cassette. In order to facilitate insertion of the film into the camera body or into a magazine, the receiving device can be pivoted or drawn out of the housing, with parallel shifting of the axis of rotation of the receiving device, thus allowing insertion or removal of the film cassette. In the open position the inserted film cassette is spaced apart from the film-advancing device by a greater distance than in the closed position. The distance of the inserted film cassette from the gripping region in the open position is of such a size that the start of the film projecting out of the film cassette, even in the case of the smallest commercially available length, extends almost right up to the gripping region.

Abstract: A camera or an apparatus adapted to use a film cartridge, or a unit applicable to the camera or the apparatus, includes a first device for engaging the film cartridge, and a second device for at least one of loading and unloading the film cartridge with respect to the camera by automatically moving the first device together with the film cartridge.

Abstract: A camera includes a film cartridge chamber in which a film cartridge having a rotating shaft is loaded, a cartridge chamber lid for covering a loading port of the film cartridge chamber, the cartridge chamber lid being supported to be openable and closable on the camera and having an opening part extending from outside into the film cartridge chamber in such a position as to face a predetermined part of the rotating shaft of the film cartridge loaded in the film cartridge chamber, an exterior part mounted on the cartridge chamber lid and capable of coming into one of a state to cover the opening part and a state not to cover the opening part, and a holding part arranged to hold the rotating shaft by abutting on the predetermined part of the rotating shaft, the holding part holding the rotating shaft in a state of being situated in a predetermined position between the exterior part and the predetermined part of the rotating shaft, and the holding part being removable from the predetermined position through the

Abstract: A camera or an apparatus adapted to use a film cartridge, or a unit applicable to the camera or the apparatus, includes a first member for opening a cover of a loading chamber provided for loading the camera or the apparatus with the film cartridge, a second member arranged to output a signal for causing the first member to act by an operation performed from outside, and a third member arranged to cause the first member to act by an operation performed from outside.

Abstract: The invention refers to a device (30) for opening and closing a film cartridge closure (311) of a film cartridge (31), with which opening and closing of the film cartridge closure can be made possible independently of active drive or power transfer elements, such as a motor and linkage. According to the present invention, this is achieved in that a stationary film cartridge holder has a shaft, for opening and closing the film cartridge closure (311), which is mounted so as to displace through a displacement travel (L) in the axial direction; and means (4, 5) are provided with which the shaft (1) is positively guided in such a way that a displacement through the displacement travel (L) results in a rotation of the shaft through 90 degrees.

Abstract: A camera includes a film strip protection system disposed within a film cartridge compartment. A film strip is maintained by a film cartridge. The film strip and the film cartridge are movable within the film cartridge compartment. The camera further includes a film strip guide unit for guiding the film strip when it extends from the film cartridge. The film strip protection system is configured to restrict the movement of the film strip to prevent the film strip from being damaged by the film strip guide unit.

Abstract: A camera or an apparatus adapted to use a film cartridge, or a unit applicable to the camera or the apparatus, includes a first member arranged to move the film cartridge at least for one of loading and unloading the film cartridge on or from the camera or the apparatus, and a second member arranged to prevent the first member from acting detrimentally at least on transportation of a film contained in the film cartridge.

Abstract: A view finder device has a Poro prism and a first optical system facing an emergent plane of the Poro prism. The first optical system is positioned beside the Poro prism and opposite to a recording medium passage through which an electro-developing recording medium is moved. A relay optical system is provided behind the recording medium passage, so that the eye point of the view finder is separated from the first optical system. A second optical system is provided behind the relay optical system, so that the image formed by the relay optical system is observed. Since the electro-developing recording medium can be moved between the first optical system and the relay optical system, the finder optical system can be disposed at a lower position.

Abstract: A film cartridge loading apparatus adapted to a camera, including (a) a slidable cover for film cartridge loading and (b) a motor for driving the cover.

Abstract: A cartridge is disposed in a chamber of a cartridge receiving apparatus. An actuating member on the apparatus is moveable a first increment to initiate an apparatus operation and moveable a second increment. A latch is positioned to prevent the actuating member from being moved the second increment after it is moved the first increment. The actuating member is moved the second increment only when the cartridge is at least partially removed from the chamber. The cartridge receiving apparatus may further include a prevention member to prevent the chamber from receiving an exposed filmstrip.

Abstract: A camera frame assembly, for use with a roll of photographic film. The camera frame assembly has a frame having a film take-up chamber, a film roll chamber, and an intermediate section between the chambers. The film roll chamber defines a cylindrical film space. The film roll chamber has a throat exterior to the film space and a pair of opposed ends. A guard partially occludes the throat. The guard has a gate portion and a stem portion. The gate portion faces the intermediate section. The stem portion is joined in fixed relation to the throat. The stem portion has a pair of opposed margins. The margins are inset from the ends of the film roll chamber. The margins and the film roll chamber define at least one accessway extending through the throat and communicating with the film space.

Abstract: A structure for transmitting a driving force from a camera body side to a cartridge chamber cover side in order to automatically operate a safety mechanism section of a safety locking mechanism installed inside the cover. The safety locking mechanism includes a locking mechanism section for locking the cover relative to the camera body; an unlocking operation member for manually releasing the locking mechanism section; and a safety mechanism section for selectively prohibiting or permitting the operation of the unlocking operation member. The driving force for automatically operating the safety mechanism section is transmitted from the camera body to the safety mechanism section through a winding spool of a film cartridge loaded inside the camera body.

Abstract: A photographic camera is provided with a cartridge chamber in which a film cartridge is loaded. A chamber lid is movable between an opening position in which it opens an entrance opening to the cartridge chamber and a closed position in which it closes the entrance opening. A lock lever is moved to a locking position in response to movement of the chamber lid to the closed position to lock the chamber lid in the closed position and is moved to an unlocking position to release the chamber lid in response to an operation for opening the chamber lid. The lock lever is urged toward the locking position by a spring.

Abstract: An opaque rear cover part for a one-time-use camera comprising a door cover portion and a remaining cover portion arranged to permit the door cover portion to be pivoted open relative to the remaining cover portion about a pivot axis, and a fracture line of weakness formed between the door cover portion and the remaining cover portion to create a break along the fracture line of weakness which permits the door cover portion to be separated from the remaining cover portion when the door cover portion is pivoted open, is characterized in that the fracture line of weakness is not coincident with the pivot axis in order to effect a shearing stress in addition to a bending stress at the fracture line of weakness, which causes the door cover portion to separate from the remaining cover portion when the door cover portion is pivoted open.

Abstract: A method of recycling a spent one-time-use camera that originally includes a pair of front and rear cover parts and a main body part having a chamber for a film cartridge, and which has had corresponding bottom portions of the front and rear cover parts and the main body part cut off to provide an opening for removing the film cartridge from the chamber, comprises the steps:cutting off a further portion of the main body part in the vicinity of the first cut that was made to provide the opening for removing the film cartridge from the chamber, in order to provide an attachment edge along the main body part;assembling a sacrificial bottom portion to the main body part at the attachment edge to replace the bottom and further portions that were cut off the main body part;loading a fresh cartridge in the chamber; andassembling new front and rear cover parts without corresponding bottom portions being cut off to the main body part, in order to complete a recycled camera,whereby after the recycled camera is used the

Abstract: A method of unloading a film cartridge with exposed film from a spent one-time-use camera that has a main body part with a chamber for the film cartridge and a pair of front and rear cover parts which house the main body part between them, comprises the steps:cutting off light lock engaging corresponding bottom portions of the front and rear cover parts to provide an exterior cut bottom opening in the front and rear cover parts, without cutting the main body part, in order to leave an interior original bottom opening in the main body part in tact; andremoving the film cartridge from the chamber through the interior original bottom opening and the exterior cut bottom opening,whereby the main body part may be recycled.

Abstract: An apparatus including a switching device for switching a power transmission system between first and second states. A holding device holds the switching device at least in the first or the second state. The holding device utilizes an operation device for operating an optical device. An apparatus also for use with a performing device for performing an action relating to at least one of loading and unloading actions of an image recording medium and to a moving device for moving the medium. The latter apparatus includes a transmitting device for transmitting a driving force to the performing device and moving device and a switching device for switching the destination of the driving force.

Abstract: An APS camera having various mechanical features that simplify film pre-loading, especially in single use APS cameras, is disclosed. The disclosed camera employs the film advance mechanism to open and close the APS film cassette's light lock door, and also employs a film sensor to disable the film advance mechanism from operating the light lock door when film is present in a film path of the camera. Camera size is kept to a minimum by a feature that defines a battery compartment within a film spool of the camera.

Abstract: A camera system has a film cartridge provided with a first shaft around which an unexposed film is wound, a second shaft for taking up an exposed film and a movable third shaft which causes a portion of the film which has been sent out from the first shaft to be folded back in a U-turn way so that the portion of the film is allowed to be taken up around the second shaft, and a camera capable of being loaded with the film cartridge and provided with a moving mechanism for moving, when the film cartridge has been loaded, the third shaft of the film cartridge so as to make an exposure.

Abstract: A camera includes an exterior member which forms an exterior of the camera, a camera body which forms a cartridge chamber portion having a cartridge chamber for loading a film cartridge therein, the cartridge chamber portion being disposed adjacent to the exterior member with a predetermined clearance therebetween and having a recessed part formed in one side thereof facing the exterior member, and a flexible printed circuit board on which at least one electric part is mounted, the flexible printed circuit board being disposed between the exterior member and the cartridge chamber portion in such a manner that the electric part is accommodated in the recessed part. With such a construction of the camera, the flexible printed circuit board on which the electric part is mounted can be disposed between the camera body and the exterior member without increasing a clearance (gap) between the camera body and the exterior member, so that the thickness of the camera as a whole can be prevented from being increased.

Abstract: An apparatus adapted for an image recording medium cartridge having an operation part for operating a cover to open and close an opening part for passing an image recording medium includes a first part for causing the operation part of the cartridge to act and a second part for applying a first force to the cartridge so as to cause the first part to engage the operation part and for subsequently applying a second force smaller than the first force to the cartridge so as to hold the cartridge.